Oh Dutcher you got me. I tend to be a not-into-Cali-chard girl but Dutcher shows up. Any variety any time. Everything is subtle except the nose which screams “I am Chardonnay! But I won’t roar I’ll purr” then you sip and think hell this is all the California Chardonnay Things but in balanced happy harmony: the vanilla, the butter, the oh so delicate oak...Dutcher never disappoints. A deep riff of acid slinks through this and balances all. Get in. — 5 years ago
Cigar box, tart fruit, pepper, and leather with a mineral backbone. Not quite the heft of premier Black Jack vintages and with a little drop off at the end of the palate, but chewy tannins and tingly acid roar back in the finish. — 3 years ago
Big fruit with a lot going on and well balanced — 4 years ago
Pretty good. Definitely budget friendly. I've had a few too many stellar old world riojas lately that this doesn't compare to. Anyhow....
Baked raisin on the nose. Smells cooked but it's not cooked. Some soft dried fruits. On the palate...at first huge acid and petrol. Automotive stuff going on all around. After an hour in the decanter, the acid is dialed down to a gentle roar, demanding to be noticed but not taking over. Notes of eucalyptus, lilacs, dried bitter black cherry in the mid palate. Still very lively and certainly kicking...tannin has dissipated and the structure and flavors are quite harmonious. Definitely in a good spot now. Could go considerably longer, but I doubt it will improve beyond this. Nice value for Gran reserve rioja. — 5 years ago
Galloni seems to have it out for SLH Pinots (he also panned Liquid Farm’s recent releases) and I couldn’t disagree more. Earthy, smoked meat, hitting its stride and could go years more. Ed Kurtzman has made wine for Freeman, Roar, August West and Mansfield Dunn and his own label, Sandler, is just fine. And QPR to boot. — 21 days ago
Rich, aged very well — 4 years ago
This Zinfandel, from vines planted in 1904, is forest-dark with brambly, black fruit and tons of supporting characters. The nose emits all that you may dream would accompany a wine made from 114-year-old vines. There is spice, there is tobacco, there is tar. Leather, dirt and oil also appear. The palate is similarly dark, but surprisingly youthful and perfumed. The acidity rips, the tannins roar and the wine does its duty on marbled beef. — 5 years ago
Eric
Amazing. SLH-style at its core. Funk and beauty and gorgeous acidity and fruit that goes on and on. Brings me to my happy place. — 16 days ago